Slide feeds



E. GRIMM SLIDE FEEDS Dec. 15, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April l0, 1963E. GRIMM SLIDE FEEDS Dec. 15, 196.4

Filed April lo, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 5R/C GAD/MM 25 "lil" 1ATTORNEY E. GRIMM SLIDE FEEDS Dec. 15, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aprill0, 1965 om QN \M. QN

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ATTORNEY E. GRIMM SLIDE FEEDS Dec. 15, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aprill0, 1963 Y lL RM E 0, f N i mw nl 0^ -wgwm n@ u w nl m QAM A m R E E.GRIMM SLIDE! FEEDS Dec. l5, 1964 Filed April 1o, 1963 4 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Illlllllllllllllllllllzlill/IIIA y. l l n I ...2mm M MNHN Y@ X/ f@United States Patent 3,161,333 SLHDE FEEDS Elric Grimm, East Grange,NJ., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Associated Patente-aes, lne.,Ampere, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Apr. 1d, i963, Ser. No.272,096 3 Claims. (Qi. 226-163) The invention herein disclosed relatesto slide feeds and is a partial continuation of patent applicationSerial No. 13l,916, filed August 16, 1961, now Patent No. 3,094,767, thelatter being a partial continuation of patent application Serial No.837,912, tiled September 3, 1959, now abandoned,

Special objects of the invention are to provide slide feed mechanismwhich will consist of but few, simple, direct acting parte and whichwill be positive in action in the stock gripping and stock releasingmovements.

Particularly it is a purpose of the invention to provide mechanism whichwill require but slight movement to effect the gripper closing andopening action and in which the gripper when closed upon the stock, willbe secured in Ithat relation without requiring external holding force.

Gther special objects of the invention are to provide a practical,efhcicnt slide feed, having the advantages nientioned and which can beproduced at reasonable cost.

rFhe foregoing and other desirable objects nave been accomplished bynovel combinations and relations of elements as hereinafter describedand claimed and illustrated by way of examples in the accompanyingdrawings.

The drawings referred to, forming part of this specification, illustratepresent practical embodiments of the invention but structure may bemodified and changed as regards such illustration, all within the trueintent and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined and claimed.

FIG. l in the drawings is a broken plan View of two companion slidefeeds constituting the invention applied to and in use on a metalforming machine, such as disclosed in the parent patent applicationSerial No. 131,916, now Patent No. 3,094,767.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged broken part sectional View as on line 2 5', of FG.l, illustrating particularly the gearing for reciprocating the feedblock.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged broken plan and part sectional view of parts ofthe left hand feed mechanism appearing in FlG. 1.

PEG. 4 is a broken sectional view on substantially the plane of line 4 4of FIG. l, showing the gripper operating cam mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional detail of the feed block, illustratingparticularly the cross slide carrying the gripper closing` cam.

NGS. 6 and 7 are broken plan views of modified forms of gripperactuating mechanism.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are broken part sectional views of the latter onsubstantially the planes of lines S-S and 9 9, respectively of FGS. 6and 7.

In the general view, FIG. 1, two of the slide feeds are shown, feedingin stock from separate lines of supply into opposite ends of the formingmachine.

Each slide feed consists of a feed block 10 sliding on guide rods 11 andcarrying a gripper lever 12 pivoted on the block at i3 in position togrip the stock against a wall 14 constituting the lixed jaw of thegripper.

The gripper lever is rocked into holding engagement with the stock by acam 15 engageable with roller lo on the free end of the lever, said camhaving the relatively high and low cam shoulders i7, l5 for holding thelever in the closed stock gripping position or in the open stockreleased position.

Tins gripper controlling cam is shown carried by a ice slide bolt 19operable in the transverse guide passage 20 in the feed block.

rlhis bolt has an extended end portion 21, FIG. 4, projecting from theside of the feed block and carrying dependent companion rollers 22spaced to receive between them an opstanding rail Z3 on a plate or bar24 which is reciprocated to impart the necessary opening and closingmovements to the gripper cam.

FlG. 3 shows how the bar 24 is supported for in and out movements on apair of parallel swinging links 25 pivotally mounted on Ithe base of themachine on centers 26 pivotally connected with opposite ends of the barat 27.

.law opening and closing movements are imparted to the rail carrying bar2A by a stud 2S projecting from the outer side of the bar, pivotallyconnected at 29 with an adjustable link 3l), FIG. 4, having pivotalengagement at 3l with a lever 32 pivoted to rock on center 33 andcarrying a roller 34 in engagement with a timing cam 35 on the shaft 36of the forming machine.

lt will be noted in FlG. 4 that this timing cam has cam slopes to effectopening and closing movements and dwell of the gripper in both the openand closed positions.

The parallel links 25, supporting the guide rail 23, hold this guiderail at all times parallel with the reciprocating line of movement ofthe feed block so that there is no binding action on the gripper closingcam and so that this cam and the rollers engaged with the rail are freeto eifect positive accurate operation of the gripper.

leciprocation of the feed block is effected in the illustration from across shaft 37, FIG. 2, at the end of the machine geared at 38 to anupper shaft 39 carrying a crank disk all connected by pitman d1 with alever 42 dependent from an upper rock shaft 43 carrying a dependentlever 44 pivotally connected by link 4S with a transverse pivot stud 46on the feed block.

This overhead drive of the feed block keeps the base i7 of the slidefeed clear for mounting on the machine with which it is used and isotherwise desirable for adjustments and other attention.

The parallel linkage for mounting and actuating the guide rail carryingbar may be varied, as shown in FiGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9.

in FlGS. 6 and 8 this bar, here designated 24a, is

' shown carried by parallel swinging links 25a, one of which, the one atthe right in FG. 6, is equipped with a projecting arm 4S, extendingtoward the other link and connected by linkage 49 with a rocker Stihaving a roller S1 in engagement with the cam 52..

A spring 53, FlG. 8, acting on a rod 54.1 pivotally connected with therocker holds this rocker with the roller 51 in riding engagement withthe cam.

The form of the invention shown in FlGS. 7 and 9 differs from that lastdescribed in that the connection between the timing cam and the guiderail bar Zlib is in the form of a rod 55 guided in a housing 56containing the spring 57 for holding the cam roll engaged with the camand in that said rod is connected with the swing link 25h on the center58 offset to the outside or away from the companion swinging link.

ln all forms of the invention the construction is simple, consisting offew, direct acting parts cooperating to effect accurately timed openingand closing movements of the gripper and the holding of the gripper ineither position, without externally applied force. Shifted in eitherposition the high or the lower shoulder or step on this cam will retainthe gripper lever in set position regardless of reciprocating movementof the feed block.

The positioning of the guide rail always parallel to the longitudinaltravel of the feed block relieves this and related parts from any loadin the reciprocating movements of the feed block.

The spring return on the cam follower, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, keeps theguide rail carrier in accurately aligned relation in respect to thetiming cam and the housing of 'such spring means as shown in these viewsis desirable mechanically and otherwise. Y

Substantially all parts of the feeding unit may be mounted on a singlebase, readily applicable -to existing forming machines, particularlywith rock shaft for reeiprocating the feed block arranged in theoverhead relation shown.

The operation of the slide feed as a whole is smooth and quiet,particularly so with the spring action last disclosed keeping the camfollower in close riding engagement with the timing cam.

The parallel relation of the gripper operating bar the full stroke ofthe feed block enables opening andclosing of the gripper to be effectedat any point or points in the travel of the block, either by design ofthe timing cam or by other means.

What is claimed is:

1. A slide feed for metal working machines, comprising the combinationof a base,

a feed block mounted for longitudinal reciprocation on said base, Y

an overhead rock shaft journaledV on said base above said feed block,

a lever dependent from said overhead rock shaft pivt otallyv connectedat its lower end with said feedV block,

a stock gripper on said feed block,

a cam mounted to slide transversely on said feed block and arranged toeffect stock gripping and releasing action of said gripper, Y

said transversely sliding cam projecting from one side of said feedblock,

spaced rollers dependent from said projecting portion of said slidingcam,

a transversely shiftable bar for operating said sliding cam,

means mounting said bar so as always to extend yin a direction parallelto the line of longitudinal movement of said feed block comprisingpivoted parallel links supporting said bar for transverse movementtoward and away from said feed block and parallel with the line oflongitudinal movement of said feed block,

a longitudinally extending rail on said bar in position Y,

a timing cam for reciprocating said bar transversely in f respect to thefeed block to effect closing and opening'operation of the gripper onsaid feed block.

2. A slide feed for metal working machines, comprisingthe combination ofv a base,

a feed block mounted on said base,

an overhead rock shaft journaled on said base above said feed block,

a lever dependent from said overhead rock shaftv pivotally connected atits lower end with said feed block,

a stock gripper on saidfeed block,

a cam mounted to slide transversely on said feed block and arranged toeffect stock gripping and releasing action of said grippen.

said transversely sliding cam projecting from one side of said feedblock,

spaced rollers dependent from said projecting portion of said slid-ingcam,

a transversely shiftable bar for operating said sliding cam,

for Alongitudinal reciprocation i means mounting saidbar so as always toextend in a direction yparallel to the line of longitudinal movement ofsaid feed block comprising pivoted parallel links supporting rsaid barfor transverse movement rtoward and away from said feed block andparallel with the line of longitudinal movement of said feed block, Y

a longitudinally extending rail on said bar in position between saidspaced rolls for shifting said sliding cam transversely in oppositedirections said rail mounted so as to always extend parallel to the lineof longitudinal movement of said feed block, and

a timing cam for reciprocating said bar transversely in respect to thefeed block to effect closing and opening operation of the gripper onsaid feed block,

said stock gripper including an abutmentforming a stationary jaw elementand a lever pivoted to cooperatetherewith as a movable jaw, said leverhaving a roller engageablel with said transversely sliding cam, and

spring means for holding said lever in position with said roller inengagement with said cam and for holding said transversely `shiftableparallel bar in cooperative relation with said timing cam.

3. A slide feed for metal working machines, comprising the combinationof a base, 1

a feed block mounted for longitudinal reciprocation on said base,

an overhead rock shaft journaled on said base above said feed block,V

a lever dependent from said overhead rock shaft pivotally connected atits lower end with said feed block,

a stock gripper on said feed block,

a cam mounted to slide transversely on said feed block and arranged toeffect stock gripping and releasing action of said gripper,

said transversely sliding cam projecting from one side of said feedblock,

spaced rollers dependent from said projecting portion of said slidingcam, Y

a transversely shiftable bar for operating said sliding cam, i'

means mounting said bar so as always toextend in a direction paralleltofthe line of longitudinal movement-of said feed block comprisingpivoted parallel Vlinks supporting said bar for transverse movementtoward and away from said feed block and parallel with the line oflongitudinal movement of said feed block, a

a Alongitudinally extending rail on said bar in position between saidspaced rolls for shifting said sliding cam transversely in oppositedirections said rail mounted so as to always extend parallel to the lineof longitudinal movement of said feed block,

timing camfor reciprocating said bar transversely in respect to the feedblock to effect closing and opening operation of the gripper on saidfeed block,

a cam .follower actuated by said timing cam,

a push-pull rod extending from said cam follower to one of saidsupporting links,

said timing cam and follower being arranged to impart closing movementsto said stock gripper, and

spring means urging said push-pull rod in the opposite direction toeffect opening movements of said stock gripper.

Olson June 21, 1921 1,883,513 Borton Oct. 18, 1932 2,884,119

Powers T- Apr. 28, 1959

1. A SLIDE FEED FOR METAL WORKING MACHINES, COMPRISING THE COMBINATIONOF A BASE, A FEED BLOCK MOUNTED FOR LONGITUDINAL RECIPROCATION ON SAIDBASE, AN OVERHEAD ROCK SHAFT JOURNALED ON SAID BASE ABOVE SAID FEEDBLOCK, A LEVER DEPENDENT FROM SAID OVERHEAD ROCK SHAFT PIVOTALLYCONNECTED AT ITS LOWER END WITH SAID FEED BLOCK, A STOCK GRIPPER ON SAIDFEED BLOCK, A CAM MOUNTED TO SLIDE TRANSVERSELY ON SAID FEED BLOCK ANDARRANGED TO EFFECT STOCK GRIPPING AND RELEASING ACTION OF SAID GRIPPER,SAID TRANSVERSELY SLIDING CAM PROJECTING FROM ONE SIDE OF SAID FEEDBLOCK, SPACED ROLLERS DEPENDENT FROM SAID PROJECTING PORTION OF SAIDSLIDING CAM, A TRANSVERSELY SHIFTABLE BAR FOR OPERATING SAID SLIDINGCAM, MEANS MOUNTING SAID BAR SO AS ALWAYS TO EXTEND IN A DIRECTIONPARALLEL TO THE LINE OF LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF SAID FEED BLOCKCOMPRISING PIVOTED PARALLEL LINKS SUPPORTING SAID BAR FOR TRANSVERSEMOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID FEED BLOCK AND PARALLEL WITH THE LINEOF LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF SAID FEED BLOCK, A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDINGRAIL ON SAID BAR IN POSITION BETWEEN SAID SPACED ROLLS FOR SHIFTING SAIDSLIDING CAM TRANSVERSELY IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS SAID RAIL MOUNTED SO ASTO ALWAYS EXTEND PARALLEL TO THE LINE OF LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF SAIDFEED BLOCK, AND A TIMING CAM FOR RECIPROCATING SAID BAR TRANSVERSELY INRESPECT TO THE FEED BLOCK TO EFFECT CLOSING AND OPENING OPERATION OF THEGRIPPER ON SAID FEED BLOCK.